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SEELEY LAKE – The Fourth of July celebrations are returning to Seeley Lake again this year with overwhelming community support. A citizens’ committee formed in May to organize the Highway 83 Parade and fireworks over the Lake. The Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce agreed to apply for the Department of Transportation (MDT) permit, carry the insurance and hire Big Sky Fireworks for the public display over Seeley Lake Sunday, July 4. The Seeley Swan Pathfinder ran a survey regarding Fourth of July activities in Seeley Lake. Out of 420 responses...
SEELEY LAKE – Seeley Lake resident Jesse Chadwick was a card-carrying, flag-waving, all-in American when he joined the United States Army in 2000. By the time his military stint was over in 2003, he had combat PTSD and was completely disillusioned with the avowed American values of "liberty" and "justice for all." Chadwick began with positive feelings about the military. His high school education had taken a side turn to the Montana National Guard Youth Challenge Program (now Montana Youth C...
SEELEY LAKE - Seeley-Swan High School seniors closed a new chapter of their lives as they celebrated their achievements at the school's graduation ceremony Sunday, June 6. During his opening speech, Principal Kellen Palmer acknowledged the challenges the 19 students had faced in recent years. "This is a 13 year culmination of hard work," he said. "The last few years have been well, unusual to say the least. Between the way last spring ended and then the uncertainty surrounding this fall, it's be...
SEELEY LAKE - Since its founding in 1993, Clearwater Montana Properties has emphasized community-building as a key component of its company culture. Through its Charitable Giving Program, the company’s agents give back a portion of all real estate proceeds to the communities in which they were earned. To date, the program has produced over $706,315 in charitable donations to causes throughout Montana, Idaho and Washington. “Each year Clearwater and our agents give a portion of each com...
Leaving Mosquito Lake and head'n down to Sullivan River, we rode with gutsy Leo in his 14-foot Boston Whaler. Ya'll remember Leo? He killed the griz that attacked him in that compromised position. Leo was in charge, only me and Butch to start the cutt'n. Boy that boat ride in that rip tide about beat us to death. Leo had his D-6 there and stiff leg (walk logs to tie the log raft to) all set up. Van truck with all his tools, chokers, etc, emergency food and in the corner a 30-06. Leo sezs, "Boys...
SEELEY LAKE - The June 14 meeting of the Seeley Lake Community Council will present an informative program on topics important to our area. We have the new affordable housing specialist from Missoula County as one of the presenters, and we all agree this is a key need for our community. Again we will conduct our meeting virtually, and we invite members of the community to join. Featured speakers are as follows: • Jordan Lyons, Housing Specialist, Missoula County Community and Planning Services: discussion of affordable housing resources in M...
MISSOULA - Due to increasing temperatures, lack of precipitation, and drying vegetation, wildland fire officials with the Missoula County Fire Protection Association (MCFPA) have raised the fire danger within Missoula County to MODERATE, effective immediately. When fire danger is moderate, fires readily start in open, dry grassland and will burn and spread quickly on windy days. Most wood fires will spread slowly to moderately. Outdoor burning with a permit is still open in Missoula County, but MCFPA urges residents to not burn on windy days...
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced that 42 trail organizations, communities and various land-managing agencies throughout Montana will receive federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant awards for their projects in 2021. This includes the full funding for the Seeley Lake Driftriders Snowmobile Club. Fifty-three RTP applications were received this year from a variety of eligible applicants, including federal and state agencies, towns, cities, counties, private clubs and nonprofit organizations. The Recreational Trails Program current...
Wildfire is no stranger to communities in western Montana. As the climate warms, wildfire risks increase. Reduced snowpack, soaring summer temperatures, altered bark beetle reproductive cycles and more severe periods of drought all interact to create situations where catastrophic wildfire is poised to become even more of a problem for communities located in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). The town of Seeley Lake has a number of agencies and organizations working to create a more...
SEELEY LAKE – For many the CL-415 and lead plane that flew around Seeley Lake Friday, June 4 brought up memories of the air show from the Rice Ridge Fire. With no smoke in the air or active wildfires in the area, the CL-415 returned to Seeley Lake for pilot training and qualification. The plane seen Friday is owned by Aero-Flite based in Spokane, Washington. According to CL-415 Chief Pilot Jason Robinson, the CL-415 was crewed by two pilots and one inspector pilot. A USFS Pilot Inspector was c...
SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Elementary kindergarten class said their classmates' name in unison as photos from the year's activities showed during the slideshow at their Completion Ceremony June 4. Captured in snapshots, parents and family members could see their children learning, playing and interacting throughout the year. The class cohesion was tangible as they echoed each other's names throughout the dark SLE gymnasium. As the lights returned, teacher Sheila Devins said "Flat tire" the cl...
As the weather warms and recreationists venture into the woods, Be Bear Aware Campaign Director Chuck Bartlebaugh wants everyone to be informed on how to avoid confrontations with black and grizzly bears, the correct methods of using bear spray and protecting oneself if a bear attacks. According to missoulabears.org, bears are omnivorous, have an excellent sense of smell and must gain enough weight during the warmer seasons to sustain them for four to seven months of winter. Bears are able to...
The Seeley Lake State Parks have two new AmeriCorps members this season! AmeriCorps is a national service program that was formally created in 1993 with the signing of the National and Community Service Trust Act. This bill united multiple service programs under one umbrella, making it easier for Americans to volunteer their time to improve their country. Prospective AmeriCorps members register with the AmeriCorps system, search for open placements within government agencies, non-profits and...
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Elementary junior high band showed what their music program is capable of at their year-end concert Tuesday, June 1. The show featured a mixture of both concert and pep band songs. Music teacher Janet Morgenstern said many of the performers were playing at a fifth grade level when they began practicing this January. However, over time they have been able to catch up to their respective grade levels. "They did really, really well tonight," she said. "We knew we...
SEELEY LAKE - Audree Jo Binder was born May 12 at 2:29 a.m. to parents Austin and Kayla Binder. She was 22 inches long and weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces. Also welcoming Audree includes brothers Harrison and Logan and grandparents Becki and Mike Johnson and Lee Binder all of Seeley Lake....
SEELEY LAKE – The Fire Board met for an informational workshop Tuesday, June 8 at 1 p.m. regarding the potential of hiring employees as well as purchasing a Type I engine that will be going up for bid in Missoula soon. No decisions were made at the meeting and discussions will continue at the next board meeting June 15 at 6 p.m. at the District. Workshops and special meetings are posted on the District website seeleyfire.org and posted at the Station. Current Situation Fire Chief Dave Lane provided the board with a current roster. They c...
If you wanted to go on a trip to Seattle today, would you be able to drop everything and make it there and back okay? Before going, you would have to check to make sure you have fuel, money, a decent car, and food and water along the way. This is called counting the cost. To count the cost is to see if you can finish something before you start it. This journey of following Christ is no different. Before committing to Christ and picking up your cross are you able to complete it through to the...
In celebration of 35 years of the Seeley Swan Pathfinder, each week we will run parts of articles that appeared in the issue 35 years ago and 20 years ago. The entire issue will be uploaded to our website seeleylake.com for you to enjoy. We hope you will enjoy the journey with us as we follow our community through the past 35 years as documented by the Pathfinder. 35 years ago: June 12, 1986 issue C.B. Rich - An Introduction (Editor's note: Diane Herron, graduating senior, delivered the followin...
SEELEY LAKE - The Montana Coaches Association (MCA) voted Seeley-Swan High School Track and Field Coach Mike Haines "Coach of the Year" for Class C Girls Track and Field after the team won the Class C state title this year. This is his third time receiving the award. He was recognized in 2014 and 2019 when the girls track team won the Class C state title. Haines described receiving the award again as humbling. "I'm blessed with having coached really good athletes and I have really good...
Spring Wildflower Hike, June 19 SEELEY LAKE – Clearwater Resource Council invites you to its second guided nature walk event June 19 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Gather friends, grab your boots come learn about spring wildflower identification! Steve Shelly, retired Forest Service Botanist, will be the guide and interpreter. The hike will be approximately three to four miles. It will occur rain or shine and will not allow dogs. Dress appropriately and provide your own water and snacks. The event will be limited to 20 participants. Please RSVP at htt...
